Ver. 1. Moreover, he made an altar of brass.] This altar was a type of the cross of Christ, yea, of Christ himself. “We also have an altar,” &c. (Hebrews 13:10) And ten cubits the height thereof.] That all the people might see the burnt offerings, and be reminded of their sins and of their Saviour; for the ceremonial law was their gospel.
Ver. 2. Also he made a molten sea.] See on 1 Kings 7:23, &c.
Ver. 3. The similitude of oxen.] Haply called knops. (1 Kings 7:24)
Ver. 4. It stood upon twelve oxen.] Prefiguring, say some, the twelve apostles, who carried the water of life all the world over. See 1 Kings 7:25.
Ver. 5. Three thousand baths.] See on 1 Kings 7:26. There it is said “two thousand baths”: Dicendum hic addi, &c., salth Vatablus. This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other; ea enim est mens autheris huius libri, for that is the design of this our author.
Ver. 6. He made also ten lavers.] See on 1 Kings 7:37.
Ver. 7. And he made ten candlesticks of gold, according to their form.] According to David’s pattern. Five on the right hand.] See 1 Kings 7:49.
Ver. 8. He made also ten tables.] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread, each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon, one hundred thirty-two in all. In our heavenly “Father’s house is bread enough.” He made a hundred basons of gold.] To receive the blood of the sacrifices. The blood of Christ is most precious, and must not be trampled on.
Ver. 9. Furthermore he made the court.] See 1 Kings 6:30. And the great court,] i.e., The people’s court, called here gnazarah: haply because here God helped the people, when he heard their prayers, or when here they took sanctuary. Forte ex azar fit azirum, et inde asilum.
Ver. 10. And he set the sea.] See 1 Kings 7:39.
Ver. 11. And Huram made the pots, and the shovels.] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures, as Lavater well observeth.
Ver. 12. And the chapiters.] Of these, see 1 Kings 7:16.
Ver. 13. See 1 Kings 7:18,20.
Ver. 14. See on 1 Kings 7:27, &c.
Ver. 16. Did Huram his father,] i.e., Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth.
Ver. 17. In the clay ground.] In holes digged in the earth, without moulds did he cast them, say some.
Ver. 22. And the snuffers, &c.] See on 2 Chronicles 4:11.